Cowboy Star in San Diego is the East Village steakhouse and butcher shop on 10th Avenue, with an in-house dry-aging programme, an oyster bar and the city's deepest American Wagyu list.
Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Wagyu burger, Wagyu tartare
Order: The dry-aged bone-in ribeye for two; the Wagyu burger at lunch.
Tip: The butcher shop sells the same cuts at retail; if the menu is booked, buy and cook at home.
Pokez in San Diego is Rafael Reyes's East Village punk-rock Mexican counter since 1994, the first vegetarian and vegan Mexican kitchen in the city and the late-night skater institution downtown.
Signature: Vegan burrito, Vegetarian tacos, Chilaquiles
Order: The vegan burrito with soyrizo; the vegetarian chilaquiles in the morning.
Tip: Cash and card both fine; the room is tiny and the look is intentionally punk-western. Counter service.
Pokez in San Diego's East Village, the punk-rock Mexican counter near City College where the vegan burrito runs nine dollars and the carne asada lands at twelve.
Try: Vegan burrito, carne asada burrito, breakfast burritos